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Will Power was quickest in practice at Sonoma on Friday. Photo by LAT PPHOTOGRAPHIC

Team Penske drivers Power, Briscoe lead IndyCar field in practice at Sonoma

August 23, 2012

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They can change the track but they can't change the competitors.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that Team Penske, which swept the podium for IndyCar's race at Sonoma Raceway last year, had the quickest two cars in Friday's first practice in wine country.

Will Power bested Ryan Briscoe by the slimmest of margins in lap times on the modified track. Power's best lap was 1 minute, 6889 seconds. Briscoe ran 1:18.8782.

Power won last year's race with Helio Castroneves second. Briscoe was third.

Simon Pagenaud was third Friday in his debut IndyCar race here. Dario Franchitti was fourth as he was in last year's race; Rubens Barrichello was fifth at the track he's tested at twice.

The Sonoma track, which has been renamed since last year's race, has had adjustments made to Turns 7, 9 and 11. Turn 7 is the biggest change; it's now a hairpin. Turn 9 is just wider on exit; the run to Turn 11 is now longer.

“I like the new layout,” said Power who, like Briscoe, was among those the track reached out to for advice to make for better passing zones. “The track was fast for the first day. It's coming down to the nitty-gritty now (for the championship) so it's important to get everything right. It will be very important to start up front in the race if you want to finish on the podium."

Power said the wind was the most difficult part of the session.

Briscoe said his advantage comes from a new Chevrolet engine for this weekend.

Sebastien Bourdais, who finished sixth last year, was in that position again Friday. But he was first with about 5 minutes left.

“The car is fast, actually faster than it shows on the time charts,” he said. “It's just the wind was tricky today.”

All of the teams tested here last week. A second practice Saturday sets up qualifying. The race green flags at 4:45 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC Sports Network.

There are 27 cars here, including Sebastian Saavedra in the fourth Andretti Autosport car and Katherine Legge in the second Dragon Racing car. She is Bourdais' teammate.